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UK Government urges contractors to work to energy efficiency code

The UK Government’s Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude yesterday called on all departments and contractors to work together to reach a target of cutting emissions 10% over the next year.

The Prime Minister David Cameron made the pledge to cut central government’s carbon emissions by 10% in May this year.

The Government is asking that all departments start working to a new ‘energy efficiency code’.

The code states that departments should be working with their facilities management contractors to come up with plans to cut carbon emissions by 10% by next May.

Government departments will also be expected to look to the private sector for ideas on cutting carbon emissions.

Greg Barker, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, joined the call, urging the country’s facilities management companies to work to the new code. Contractors should also be sharing their expertise with public bodies to identify ways of reducing energy-related emissions, according to the code.

“In this fiscal crisis, it is essential that we take radical steps to increase efficiency and reduce energy use,” said Maude at a meeting yesterday. “The public sector as a whole is responsible for three per cent of UK carbon emissions and spends more than £2.5 billion on energy every year, so there is a huge potential to make a real difference.”

A first step will be to make energy use and efficiency more transparent, said Maude. Last month, some departments started displaying live energy use information, with others expected to follow suit shortly.

For further information:
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/
www.decc.gov.uk/

21 July 2010

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